The Wilmette Life also posted the following article about the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran where an Iranian Baha’i who now lives in the area relates her account of life in Iran as a Baha’i: Persecution has long roots
Continue Reading…Thursday, August 14, 2008
Kirk takes up Baha'i fight
The Wilmette Life published the following article about the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran and the recent resolution that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the treatment of the Baha’i community in Iran: Kirk takes up Baha’i fight
Continue Reading…
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Iranian media attacks on Baha'is and Nobel Prize Winner Shirin Ebadi seek to stir “irrational fears and prejudices”
NEW YORK, August 12 2008 (BWNS) — Fraudulent claims in the Iranian news media about seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders and the efforts of Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and others to defend them represent an effort by the government to prevent Baha’is from having adequate legal representation – and also to stir up “irrational fears and prejudices,” the Baha’i International Community said in a statement today.“Reports published in government-run news outlets point to an effort on the part of the authorities to use the mass media to spread accusations that the seven prisoners have engaged in subversive activities, and to continue to deprive these Baha’is from any access to legal counsel by maligning Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, the well-known Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize winner who, together with her colleagues, has stated her readiness to defend the Baha’is,” said the statement.
The statement, posted to the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office Web site, responds to allegations that Mrs. Ebadi’s daughter has become a Baha’i, that Baha’is are agents of Zionism, and that when Iranian Baha’is communicate with the Baha’i Faith’s international governing body in Israel, it is somehow a “conspiracy.”
“The Iranian government seizes every means at its disposal to stigmatize the Baha’is and then, within the poisoned atmosphere it has itself created, when it wants to discredit someone, it asserts that the person is a Baha’i,” the statement said. “Mrs. Ebadi is not the first individual upon whom this tactic has been used. As a lawyer, Mrs. Ebadi defends individuals and groups of many different backgrounds; this does not mean that she necessarily espouses their beliefs. What, then, is the state-sanctioned press trying to insinuate when it contends that her daughter is a Baha’i?”
The full statement can be read at:
http://bic.org/statements-and-reports/featured/Iran-Intensifies-Disinfor… Continue Reading…
The statement, posted to the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office Web site, responds to allegations that Mrs. Ebadi’s daughter has become a Baha’i, that Baha’is are agents of Zionism, and that when Iranian Baha’is communicate with the Baha’i Faith’s international governing body in Israel, it is somehow a “conspiracy.”
“The Iranian government seizes every means at its disposal to stigmatize the Baha’is and then, within the poisoned atmosphere it has itself created, when it wants to discredit someone, it asserts that the person is a Baha’i,” the statement said. “Mrs. Ebadi is not the first individual upon whom this tactic has been used. As a lawyer, Mrs. Ebadi defends individuals and groups of many different backgrounds; this does not mean that she necessarily espouses their beliefs. What, then, is the state-sanctioned press trying to insinuate when it contends that her daughter is a Baha’i?”
The full statement can be read at:
http://bic.org/statements-and-reports/featured/Iran-Intensifies-Disinfor… Continue Reading…
Monday, August 11, 2008
Barred from college in Iran, Moorpark resident excels at studies in the U.S.
The Ventura Country Star published the following article about an Iranian Baha’i student who came to Moorpark, CA, 4 years ago: Barred from college in Iran, Moorpark resident excels at studies in the U.S.
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Friday, August 8, 2008
VOA: Terrorizing The Iranian People
The following Voice of America editorial includes reference to the recent events affecting the Baha’i community in Iran: Terrorizing the Iranian People
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Monday, August 4, 2008
Baha’is deny accusations of subversive activity
IranVNC has posted the following article: Baha’is deny accusations of subversive activity
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Sunday, August 3, 2008
Baha'is reject allegations of subversive activity in Iran
NEW YORK, August 3 2008 (BWNS) — The Baha’i International Community categorically rejects statements by an Iranian prosecutor that seven Baha’is detained in Tehran have “confessed” to operating an “illegal” organization with ties to Israel and other countries.
“We deny in the strongest possible terms the suggestion that Baha’is in Iran have engaged in any subversive activity,” said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations. “The Baha’i community is not involved in political affairs. Their only ‘crime’ is the practice of their religion.”
“The seriousness of the allegations makes us fear for the lives of these seven individuals,” she said.
She was responding to Iranian newspaper reports of statements by Hasan Haddad, deputy prosecutor general for security at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Ms. Dugal said that seven Baha’is arrested earlier this year were members of a committee that helped attend to the needs of the 300,000 Baha’is in Iran.
“That is no secret – the government knew perfectly well about the existence of this committee long before its members were arrested, just as the government knows perfectly well that these people are not involved in any underhanded activity,” she said.
Ms. Dugal said the detentions are part of a well-documented, decades-long campaign to stamp out the Baha’i community in Iran, and that the latest accusations follow the same pattern as previous unfounded charges.
“Suggestions of collusion with the state of Israel are categorically false and misleading. The Iranian authorities are playing on the fact that the Baha’i world administrative center is located in northern Israel,” she said.
“The Iranian government completely ignores the well-known historical fact that the Baha’i Faith was centered in Iran until 1853 when the authorities there banished the Baha’i prophet-founder, who was forced into exile and eventually imprisoned in Acre on the Mediterranean coast under the Ottoman Turkish regime. That area happens to be in what is now Israel.”
Ms. Dugal said many Baha’is in Iran – including members of the coordinating committee before their imprisonment – are frequently detained for questioning about their activities. The Baha’is, she said, have nothing to hide and try to answer truthfully whenever they are interrogated.
http://bwns.org/story/648 Continue Reading…
“We deny in the strongest possible terms the suggestion that Baha’is in Iran have engaged in any subversive activity,” said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations. “The Baha’i community is not involved in political affairs. Their only ‘crime’ is the practice of their religion.”
“The seriousness of the allegations makes us fear for the lives of these seven individuals,” she said.
She was responding to Iranian newspaper reports of statements by Hasan Haddad, deputy prosecutor general for security at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Ms. Dugal said that seven Baha’is arrested earlier this year were members of a committee that helped attend to the needs of the 300,000 Baha’is in Iran.
“That is no secret – the government knew perfectly well about the existence of this committee long before its members were arrested, just as the government knows perfectly well that these people are not involved in any underhanded activity,” she said.
Ms. Dugal said the detentions are part of a well-documented, decades-long campaign to stamp out the Baha’i community in Iran, and that the latest accusations follow the same pattern as previous unfounded charges.
“Suggestions of collusion with the state of Israel are categorically false and misleading. The Iranian authorities are playing on the fact that the Baha’i world administrative center is located in northern Israel,” she said.
“The Iranian government completely ignores the well-known historical fact that the Baha’i Faith was centered in Iran until 1853 when the authorities there banished the Baha’i prophet-founder, who was forced into exile and eventually imprisoned in Acre on the Mediterranean coast under the Ottoman Turkish regime. That area happens to be in what is now Israel.”
Ms. Dugal said many Baha’is in Iran – including members of the coordinating committee before their imprisonment – are frequently detained for questioning about their activities. The Baha’is, she said, have nothing to hide and try to answer truthfully whenever they are interrogated.
http://bwns.org/story/648 Continue Reading…
Congress condemns Iran’s persecution of Baha’is
IranVNC has posted the following article about the Congressional resolution: Congress condems Iran’s persecution of Baha’is
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Reuters: Report says Iran accuses arrested Baha'is of Israel links
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Seven detained Baha’i believers have confessed to setting up an illegal organisation in Iran that took orders from Israel and others to undermine the Islamic system, an Iranian newspaper reported on Sunday.
You can access the full article here
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You can access the full article here
Continue Reading…
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Congress condemns Iran’s persecution of Baha’is
IranVNC has posted the following article about the Congressional resolution: Congress condems Iran’s persecution of Baha’is
Continue Reading…
Friday, August 1, 2008
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Resolution Condemning the Persecution of Baha’is in Iran
WASHINGTON, August 1 2008 – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution condemning the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran. H. RES. 1008 is the tenth congressional resolution since 1982 on the Baha’is in Iran.
“The passing of this resolution is particularly timely given the escalation of attacks against the Baha’is in Iran in recent months,” said Ms. Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. “This includes a series of arson attacks on the homes and vehicles of Baha’is, and the arrests in March and May of the seven members of Iran’s national Baha’i coordinating group. They are being held in Evin Prison in Tehran without any charges and without access to an attorney or to their families.”
The congressional resolution condemns the government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of Baha’is; calls on Iran’s Parliament to reject a proposed Islamic penal code, and calls on the Iranian regime to immediately release ten imprisoned Baha’is.
“This is government-sponsored persecution,” said Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10), who introduced the resolution. “And we in the Congress should not be silent as Iran sets up the mechanism to ethnically cleanse its Baha’i minority, totaling over 250,000 human beings.”
“It sends a strong signal that Congress will continue to watch closely the treatment of the Baha’i people in Iran,” said Rep Howard L. Berman (CA-28), who is the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and co-sponsored the resolution.
“We are deeply grateful that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed this resolution, which speaks up for those who are unable to have their voices heard in their homeland. We look forward to the day when the Iranian Baha’is will have their human rights restored and be able to contribute as equal citizens to the advancement of the country and the global community which they love,” said Ms. Kit Bigelow.
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There are 2 versions of Bill number H. Res. 1008 for the 110th Congress
1. Condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1008.IH]
2. Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2006, Congress declared that it deplored the religious persecution by the Government of Iran of the Baha’i community and… (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.RES.1008.EH]
Other notable quotes from the Congressional record:
Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10):
“For the life of me, I do not understand why they attack Baha’is. The Baha’i faith teaches that Moses and Jesus and Mohammed are all respected teachers who added to the faith of our times. The Baha’is embody acceptance and tolerance and accommodation. They have a faith which renders them incapable of being a threat to a government, so it is up to us to speak for them. It’s up to us to hold up a mirror to the Iranian Government to show it as a vicious and cruel state.”
“We have seen this movie before, but they have worn other uniforms in other countries. It is my hope that we can make this call to action to join with the European Parliament. We can help change the ending of this flick so that hundreds of thousands of Baha’is may one day be able to sleep well in future days knowing that the great democracies from across the seas in Europe and America watch over them.”
Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH):
“Totalitarian regimes everywhere, hiding behind the false excuse of state sovereignty, are eager to combat any progress in human rights and freedoms and to expand their hegemony and repression as far as others allow them to do. Therefore, the United States must continue to make clear, in both word and deed, that the spread of religious freedom and human rights worldwide is not merely an ideal, but an imperative.”
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (VA-10)
“I am pleased to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues as a cosponsor of this important resolution, and I hope its passage will send a strong message to the Iranian government that the United States Congress will always stand in solidarity with the persecuted people of the world.”
The full congressional record from the House floor can be accessed here
The press release from Congressman Kirk’s office can be accessed here
Congressman Wolf’s statement on the House floor can be accessed here. Continue Reading…
“The passing of this resolution is particularly timely given the escalation of attacks against the Baha’is in Iran in recent months,” said Ms. Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. “This includes a series of arson attacks on the homes and vehicles of Baha’is, and the arrests in March and May of the seven members of Iran’s national Baha’i coordinating group. They are being held in Evin Prison in Tehran without any charges and without access to an attorney or to their families.”
The congressional resolution condemns the government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of Baha’is; calls on Iran’s Parliament to reject a proposed Islamic penal code, and calls on the Iranian regime to immediately release ten imprisoned Baha’is.
“This is government-sponsored persecution,” said Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10), who introduced the resolution. “And we in the Congress should not be silent as Iran sets up the mechanism to ethnically cleanse its Baha’i minority, totaling over 250,000 human beings.”
“It sends a strong signal that Congress will continue to watch closely the treatment of the Baha’i people in Iran,” said Rep Howard L. Berman (CA-28), who is the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and co-sponsored the resolution.
“We are deeply grateful that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed this resolution, which speaks up for those who are unable to have their voices heard in their homeland. We look forward to the day when the Iranian Baha’is will have their human rights restored and be able to contribute as equal citizens to the advancement of the country and the global community which they love,” said Ms. Kit Bigelow.
—————————–
There are 2 versions of Bill number H. Res. 1008 for the 110th Congress
1. Condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. (Introduced in House)[H.RES.1008.IH]
2. Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2006, Congress declared that it deplored the religious persecution by the Government of Iran of the Baha’i community and… (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)[H.RES.1008.EH]
Other notable quotes from the Congressional record:
Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10):
“For the life of me, I do not understand why they attack Baha’is. The Baha’i faith teaches that Moses and Jesus and Mohammed are all respected teachers who added to the faith of our times. The Baha’is embody acceptance and tolerance and accommodation. They have a faith which renders them incapable of being a threat to a government, so it is up to us to speak for them. It’s up to us to hold up a mirror to the Iranian Government to show it as a vicious and cruel state.”
“We have seen this movie before, but they have worn other uniforms in other countries. It is my hope that we can make this call to action to join with the European Parliament. We can help change the ending of this flick so that hundreds of thousands of Baha’is may one day be able to sleep well in future days knowing that the great democracies from across the seas in Europe and America watch over them.”
Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH):
“Totalitarian regimes everywhere, hiding behind the false excuse of state sovereignty, are eager to combat any progress in human rights and freedoms and to expand their hegemony and repression as far as others allow them to do. Therefore, the United States must continue to make clear, in both word and deed, that the spread of religious freedom and human rights worldwide is not merely an ideal, but an imperative.”
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (VA-10)
“I am pleased to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues as a cosponsor of this important resolution, and I hope its passage will send a strong message to the Iranian government that the United States Congress will always stand in solidarity with the persecuted people of the world.”
The full congressional record from the House floor can be accessed here
The press release from Congressman Kirk’s office can be accessed here
Congressman Wolf’s statement on the House floor can be accessed here. Continue Reading…
WSJ: A Campaign of Persecution Against a Faith of Tolerance
The Wall Street Journal has published the following article: A Campaign of Persecution Against a Faith of Tolerance
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Continue Reading…
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
(CNN) Iran: Religious minority reports arson attacks
CNN has posted the following story about the arson attacks on the Baha’is in Iran: Religious minority reports arson attacks
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The Institute on Religion and Public Policy condemns arson attacks
The IRPP has put out the following statement:
Institute condemns Iranian arsonist targeting of Baha’is
In the early hours of the morning of July 18, the house of the Shaaker family in Kerman was set on fire, only weeks after their car had been torched and in the wake of a series of threatening phone calls. Officials investigating the fire ignored and dismissed obvious signs of suspicious activity, such as a muffled explosion, simply saying that it was the result of an electrical problem.
At least a dozen cases of arson that target Baha’is have been reported in Iran in the last 15 months. Furthermore, over two months ago, seven members of Iran’s national Bahá’í coordinating group were arrested. Although they have still not been charged, they remain in Evin Prison in Tehran, without access to an attorney or to their families.
Photographs of this attack, as well as details on other recent arson cases targeting Iranian Bahá’ís, are available on the Bahá’í World News website at: http://news.bahai.org/story/645.
About Institute on Religion and Public Policy
Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.
The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights - especially the right of religious freedom - and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom. Continue Reading…
Institute condemns Iranian arsonist targeting of Baha’is
In the early hours of the morning of July 18, the house of the Shaaker family in Kerman was set on fire, only weeks after their car had been torched and in the wake of a series of threatening phone calls. Officials investigating the fire ignored and dismissed obvious signs of suspicious activity, such as a muffled explosion, simply saying that it was the result of an electrical problem.
At least a dozen cases of arson that target Baha’is have been reported in Iran in the last 15 months. Furthermore, over two months ago, seven members of Iran’s national Bahá’í coordinating group were arrested. Although they have still not been charged, they remain in Evin Prison in Tehran, without access to an attorney or to their families.
Photographs of this attack, as well as details on other recent arson cases targeting Iranian Bahá’ís, are available on the Bahá’í World News website at: http://news.bahai.org/story/645.
About Institute on Religion and Public Policy
Nominated for the 2007 Nobel Prize in Peace, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.
The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights - especially the right of religious freedom - and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. The Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom. Continue Reading…
(CNN) Iran: Religious minority reports arson attacks
CNN has posted the following story about the arson attacks on the Baha’is in Iran: Religious minority reports arson attacks
Continue Reading…
Monday, July 28, 2008
Arsonists in Iran target Baha'i homes, vehicles
NEW YORK, July 28 2008 (BWNS) — Acts of arson targeting homes and vehicles are the latest violent tactics directed against the Baha’is of Iran. “In the early hours of the morning of 18 July, the house of the Shaaker family in Kerman went up in flames, only weeks after their car had been torched and in the wake of a series of threatening phone calls,” said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.
“As would be expected in the light of the mistreatment Baha’is in Iran are routinely receiving, the officials who investigated the fire either ignored or dismissed obvious signs of suspicious activity, including a muffled explosion, simply saying that it was the result of an electrical problem,” she said.
At least a dozen cases of arson that target Baha’is have been reported in Iran in the last 15 months, Ms. Dugal said. She gave the following examples:
“These latest attacks follow the authorities’ attempts to deprive the Iranian Baha’i community of its leadership,” Ms. Dugal said, referring to the arrests in March and May this year of the seven members of Iran’s national Baha’i coordinating group, all of whom are still locked up in Evin Prison in Tehran without any charges and without access to an attorney or to their families.
“As Baha’is worldwide watch with alarm this escalation in violence,” she added, “their fears that a sinister plan of persecution is unfolding become increasingly confirmed. Their only hope is that enough voices of protests are raised around the world to compel the government in Iran to put an end to this violence.”
http://news.bahai.org/story/645 Continue Reading…
“As would be expected in the light of the mistreatment Baha’is in Iran are routinely receiving, the officials who investigated the fire either ignored or dismissed obvious signs of suspicious activity, including a muffled explosion, simply saying that it was the result of an electrical problem,” she said.
At least a dozen cases of arson that target Baha’is have been reported in Iran in the last 15 months, Ms. Dugal said. She gave the following examples:
- On 15 July at 1:15 a.m., Molotov cocktails were thrown into the front courtyard of the home of Khusraw Dehghani and his wife, Dr. Huma Agahi, in Vilashahr, only months after anonymous threats directly related to her being a Baha’i forced Dr. Agahi to close her clinic in nearby Najafabad where she had practiced medicine for 28 years.
- On 25 July, the car of a prominent Baha’i in Rafsanjan, in Kerman province, was torched and destroyed by arsonists on motorbikes. Soheil Naeimi, the owner of the car, and 10 other Baha’i families in the town had received threatening letters from a group calling itself the Anti-Baha’ism Movement of the Youth of Rafsanjan that, among other things, threatened jihad (holy war) against the Baha’is.
- On 10 June, an outbuilding on the property of the Mr. and Mrs. Mousavi, elderly Baha’is living in the village of Tangriz in Fars province, was destroyed by fire when it was doused with gasoline. The Mousavis, along with their two sons who were sleeping close to the building, narrowly escaped injury when the gasoline tank used to start the fire exploded. The Mousavis believe that the perpetrator thought they were all sleeping in the hut when he set the fire. Mr. Mousavi issued a formal complaint against the person they suspected, but the legal office has declined to pursue the case because the suspect swore on the Qur’an that he was not guilty. Out of respect for the Qur’an, the Mousavis have dropped the charges.
- On 4 April, the home of a Baha’i was set on fire in Babolsar, in the north of Iran.
- In February in Shiraz, a 53-year-old businessman was attacked on the street, chained to a tree, doused with gasoline, and assaulted by unknown persons who then attempted to throw lighted matches at him.
- Also in Shiraz in February, several arson attempts were made against vehicles and a home belonging to Baha’is.
- On 1 May 2007, arson destroyed the home of ‘Abdu’l-Baqi Rouhani in the village of Ivil, in Mazandaran.
- In Karaj, the burial section of a Baha’i cemetery was set on fire.
“These latest attacks follow the authorities’ attempts to deprive the Iranian Baha’i community of its leadership,” Ms. Dugal said, referring to the arrests in March and May this year of the seven members of Iran’s national Baha’i coordinating group, all of whom are still locked up in Evin Prison in Tehran without any charges and without access to an attorney or to their families.
“As Baha’is worldwide watch with alarm this escalation in violence,” she added, “their fears that a sinister plan of persecution is unfolding become increasingly confirmed. Their only hope is that enough voices of protests are raised around the world to compel the government in Iran to put an end to this violence.”
http://news.bahai.org/story/645 Continue Reading…
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Message of Persecution
The following article was published in a local VA newspaper, The Arlington Connection: Message of Persecution
Continue Reading…
Monday, July 14, 2008
Iran's blood-drenched mullahs - Human Rights getting worse
The following Op-Ed in today’s Washington Times includes information about the plight of the Baha’is in Iran: Iran’s blood-drenched mullahs.
The Op-ed is by Nir Borns, vice president of the Center for Freedom in the Middle East, and Shayahn Arya, Iranian activist and associate researcher at the Institute for Monitoring and Cultural Tolerance in School Education.
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Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bahais a target in Iran
Julia Duin’s column in The Washington Times published today: Bahais a target in Iran
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Monday, July 7, 2008
White House statement about imprisoned Baha'i leaders
On June 14 the White House made a statement about the imprisoned national Bahá’í leaders in Iran:
“The Iranian regime’s human rights record is shameful. A month ago today, the regime arrested six Bahai leaders solely on the grounds of their religion. They should be released immediately. Iran should uphold the basic human right to practice religion and should end its persecution of the Bahai community.” - Gordon Johndroe, National Security Council spokesperson. Continue Reading…
Baha'i followers know persecution is alive and well
On July 5 Oregon’s Statesman Journal published an article about a Baha’i who faced persecution in Iran, Baha’i followers know persecution is alive and well.
Continue Reading…
Persecuted for her faith, woman 'never became bitter'
On July 5 Alabama’s Huntsville Times published an article, Persecuted for her faith, woman ‘never became bitter’, about the extraordinary life of Oliya Aqsanoshohada.
Continue Reading…
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Nobel laureates call for release of Iranian Baha’i prisoners
Six Nobel Peace Prize laureates have issued a statement calling on the Iranian government to immediately free seven prominent Iranian Baha’is imprisoned in Tehran.
The Nobel winners, under the banner of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, called on the Iranian government to guarantee the safety of the Baha’is — being held in Evin Prison with no formal charges and no access to lawyers — and to grant them an unconditional release.
“We are thankful to these internationally prominent activists for calling publicly for the release of our fellow Baha’is, who are detained for no reason other than their religion,” said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.
The Nobel laureates issuing the statement are:
• Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire, founders of the Peace People in Northern Ireland and winners of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976
• Rigoberta Menchu Tum, a leading advocate of ethno-cultural reconciliation in her native Guatemala and Nobel winner in 1992
• Professor Jody Williams, international campaigner for the banning of land mines, winner in 1997
• Iranian human rights lawyer Dr. Shirin Ebadi, winner in 2003;
• Kenyan environmental activist Professor Wangari Muta Maathai, Nobel winner in 2004
Their statement, issued on the letterhead of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, reads:
“We note with concern the news of the arrest of six prominent Baha’is in Iran on 14 May 2008. We note that Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm are members of the informal group known as the Friends in Iran that coordinates the activities of the Baha’i community in Iran; we further note that another member of the Friends in Iran, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, has been held in custody since 5 March 2008; we register our deepest concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Baha’i community.
“We call on the Iranian Government to guarantee the safety of these individuals (and) grant their immediate unconditional release.”
The Nobel Women’s Initiative, based in Ottawa, Canada, was established in 2006 by the six women laureates — who represent North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa – to help build peace by working with women throughout the world. Only 12 women have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Continue Reading…
The Nobel winners, under the banner of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, called on the Iranian government to guarantee the safety of the Baha’is — being held in Evin Prison with no formal charges and no access to lawyers — and to grant them an unconditional release.
“We are thankful to these internationally prominent activists for calling publicly for the release of our fellow Baha’is, who are detained for no reason other than their religion,” said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.
The Nobel laureates issuing the statement are:
• Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire, founders of the Peace People in Northern Ireland and winners of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976
• Rigoberta Menchu Tum, a leading advocate of ethno-cultural reconciliation in her native Guatemala and Nobel winner in 1992
• Professor Jody Williams, international campaigner for the banning of land mines, winner in 1997
• Iranian human rights lawyer Dr. Shirin Ebadi, winner in 2003;
• Kenyan environmental activist Professor Wangari Muta Maathai, Nobel winner in 2004
Their statement, issued on the letterhead of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, reads:
“We note with concern the news of the arrest of six prominent Baha’is in Iran on 14 May 2008. We note that Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm are members of the informal group known as the Friends in Iran that coordinates the activities of the Baha’i community in Iran; we further note that another member of the Friends in Iran, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, has been held in custody since 5 March 2008; we register our deepest concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Baha’i community.
“We call on the Iranian Government to guarantee the safety of these individuals (and) grant their immediate unconditional release.”
The Nobel Women’s Initiative, based in Ottawa, Canada, was established in 2006 by the six women laureates — who represent North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa – to help build peace by working with women throughout the world. Only 12 women have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Continue Reading…
Friday, June 20, 2008
CNN: Baha'is detained in Iran contact families
CNN has posted the following article: Bahais detained in Iran contact families
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Then they came for the Bahai
The Jewish Daily Forward has published the following Op-Ep about the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran: Then they came for the Bahai
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Jailed Baha'i leaders make first contact with families
IranVNC has posted the following story: Jailed Baha’i leaders make first contact with families
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Seven jailed Iranian Baha'is make brief contact with families
NEW YORK, 19 June 2008 (BWNS) — Seven prominent Baha’is imprisoned in Iran have each been allowed a brief phone call to their families, the Baha’i International Community has learned.
The calls were the first contact with the jailed Baha’is since six of them were arrested on 14 May in pre-dawn raids at their homes in Tehran. The seventh was arrested in March in the city of Mashhad.
The Baha’i International Community has learned that on 3 June, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet and Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi were permitted to make short phone calls to their families. Mrs. Sabet had been detained in Mashhad on 5 March but on 26 May was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran, where it is believed the others are also being held.
Later it was confirmed that Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm also have made brief phone calls to their families.
No charges have been filed against any of the seven, who comprise the entire membership of a coordinating committee that saw to the minimal needs of the 300,000-member Baha’i community of Iran.
In 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran were taken away and presumed killed as they were never heard from again. A year later, after the Assembly had been reconstituted, eight of the nine members were arrested and killed.
Besides the seven committee members imprisoned in Tehran, about 15 other Baha’is are currently detained in Iran, some incommunicado and most with no formal charges.
http://www.news.bahai.org/story/640
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The Baha’i International Community has also posted a report summarizing the latest news it has verified from Iran: Iran Update Continue Reading…
The calls were the first contact with the jailed Baha’is since six of them were arrested on 14 May in pre-dawn raids at their homes in Tehran. The seventh was arrested in March in the city of Mashhad.
The Baha’i International Community has learned that on 3 June, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet and Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi were permitted to make short phone calls to their families. Mrs. Sabet had been detained in Mashhad on 5 March but on 26 May was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran, where it is believed the others are also being held.
Later it was confirmed that Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm also have made brief phone calls to their families.
No charges have been filed against any of the seven, who comprise the entire membership of a coordinating committee that saw to the minimal needs of the 300,000-member Baha’i community of Iran.
In 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran were taken away and presumed killed as they were never heard from again. A year later, after the Assembly had been reconstituted, eight of the nine members were arrested and killed.
Besides the seven committee members imprisoned in Tehran, about 15 other Baha’is are currently detained in Iran, some incommunicado and most with no formal charges.
http://www.news.bahai.org/story/640
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The Baha’i International Community has also posted a report summarizing the latest news it has verified from Iran: Iran Update Continue Reading…
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Remembering a day of tragedy, a day of courage
(Mona Mahmudnizhad, Zarrin Muqimi-Abyánih, and Ruya Ishraqi)
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the day 10 Bahá’í women were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, for teaching religious classes to Bahá’í youth — the equivalent of being Sunday School teachers in the West.
One of the men attending the gallows on that day in 1983 confided to a Bahá’í: “We tried saving their lives up to the last moment, but one by one, first the older ladies, then the young girls, were hanged while the others were forced to watch, it being hoped that this might induce them to recant their belief. We even urged them to say they were not Bahá’ís, but not one of them agreed; they preferred the execution.”
According to eyewitness reports, the women, ranging in age from 17 to 57, went to their fate singing and chanting, as though they were enjoying a pleasant outing.
All of the women had been interrogated and tortured in the months leading up to their execution. Some still bore visible wounds.
The youngest of the martyrs was Muna Mahmudnizhad, known as Mona, a 17-year-old schoolgirl who, because of her youth and conspicuous innocence, became a symbol of the group. In prison, she was lashed on the soles of her feet with a cable and forced to walk on bleeding feet.
Yet she never wavered in her faith, even to the point of kissing the hands of her executioner, and then the rope, before putting it around her own throat.
Another young woman, Zarrin Muqimi-Abyanih, 28, told the interrogators, whose chief goal was to have her disavow her faith: “Whether you accept it or not, I am a Bahá’í. You cannot take it away from me. I am a Bahá’í with my whole being and my whole heart.”
The judge said, during the trial of another of the women, Ruya Ishraqi, 23, a veterinary student: “You put yourselves through this agony only for one word: Just say you are not a Bahá’í and I’ll see that…you are released…” Ms. Ishraqi responded, “I will not exchange my faith for the whole world.”
The names of the other women hanged on June 18, 1983 were: Shahin Dalvand, 25, a sociologist; Izzat Janami Ishraqi, 57, a homemaker; Mahshid Nirumand, 28, who had qualified for a degree in physics but had it denied her because she was a Bahá’í; Simin Sabiri, 25; Tahirih Arjumandi Siyavushi, 30, a nurse; Akhtar Thabit, 25, also a nurse; and Nusrat Ghufrani Yalda’i, 47, a mother and member of the local Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly.
All had considered their duty to teach Bahá’í religious classes — especially after the government had barred Bahá’í children from attending even regular school.
http://bahai.us/day-of-courage Continue Reading…
Monday, June 16, 2008
White House slams as "shameful" Iran's human rights
IranVNC reported on a statement made on June 14 by a White House spokesperson calling for the release of Baha’i leaders in Iran White House slams as “shameful” Iran’s human rights
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AAUP passes resolution on denial of education to Baha'is in Iran
The American Association of University Professors passed a resolution on June 15, 2008, urging the government of Iran to “remove barriers that deny access to higher education on religious or ethnic grounds.” In particular, the AAUP wants to ensure that Iran does not keep members of the Baha’i religious community “out of universities.”
http://chronicle.com/news/article/4676/aaup-weighs-in-on-hot-button-academic-issues
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Thursday, June 5, 2008
NYTimes: Iran: Bahai Arrests Confirmed
The following article appeared in today’s World Briefing section of The New York Times “Iran: Bahai Arrests Confirmed”
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Treatment of Bahais: A Test of Human Rights in Iran
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy has described the treatment of the Baha’is as a test of human rights in Iran
You can access their report here
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Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Open letter to President Ahmadinejad on Situation of Baha'i Detainees
On June 1, 2008, Ms. Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH, and Mr. Joe Stork, Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa Division, Human Rights Watch, wrote an open letter to President Ahmadinejad expressing concern over the fate of the seven detained Baha’i leaders.
You can access the letter here
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NYTimes: Iran: Bahai Arrests Confirmed
he following article appeared in today’s World Briefing section of The New York Times “Iran: Bahai Arrests Confirmed”
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
ICJ calls on Iranian authorities to cease harassment of Baha'i faith leaders
The International Commission of Jurists issued a press release on June 2 calling for the immediate release of the Baha’i leaders in Iran. The press release can be downloaded from the ICJ site here
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Ignoring Baha'i plight hypocritical
Canada’s National Post published the following story on May 29, 2008
Ignoring Baha’i plight hypocritical; Iran arrests should be on Canada’s agenda
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Monday, June 2, 2008
Baha'i arrests show loss of basic religious freedoms and human rights in Iran
Abraham H. Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote the following piece for The Cutting Edge: Baha’i arrests show loss of basic religious freedoms and human rights in Iran
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East Bay faithful condemn arrests of Bahais in Iran
The Contra Costa Times, CA, published the following article about a local event to raise awareness about the arrests of Baha’i leaders in Iran “East Bay faithful condemn arrests of Bahais in Iran”
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Thursday, May 29, 2008
VOA - Baha'i Leaders Arrested in Iran
Voice of America put out this story on May 28, 2008, Baha’i Leaders Arrested in Iran
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Strength of faith battles tyranny
The St. Petersburg Times published the following article “Strength of faith battles tyranny” in which they interviewed some local Iranian Baha’is about the situation of the Baha’is in Iran.
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Five more Baha’is detained in Iran, report rights groups
IranVNC has posted an article concerning the arrest of five additional Baha’is in Iran. You can access the article here
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Iran Arrests National Baha’i Leaders in Dawn Raids
Priya Abraham, Director of Communications for the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, wrote the following piece for The Cutting Edge Iran Arrests National Baha’i Leaders in Dawn Raids. It was published on May 26, 2008.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Concern mounts over the fate of Iranian Baha’i leaders
The Bahá’í International Community today expressed its deep concern for the fate of the six Baha’i leaders who were arrested on May 14, 2008. At present, the whereabouts of none of the seven are known.
It was originally understood that the six were taken to Evin prison with the seventh remaining in Mashhad since March 2008. Relatives have made repeated attempts to gain more information, but have only been met with evasion and conflicting stories from government officials.
For further details, please visit http://news.bahai.org/story/635 Continue Reading…
It was originally understood that the six were taken to Evin prison with the seventh remaining in Mashhad since March 2008. Relatives have made repeated attempts to gain more information, but have only been met with evasion and conflicting stories from government officials.
For further details, please visit http://news.bahai.org/story/635 Continue Reading…
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Iran's Abused
The following editorial was posted in today’s Wall Street Journal Europe “Iran’s Abused”
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Baha'i International Community rejects Iranian allegations on recent arrests
The Bahá’í International Community has rejected the Iranian government’s allegations that six Bahá’ís were arrested last week “for security reasons and not for their faith.”
“All of the allegations issued in a statement on Tuesday by the Iranian government are utterly baseless,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations, referring to statements made in a press conference given on May 20, 2008, in Tehran by Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham, at which he acknowledged the arrest and imprisonment of six Bahá’í leaders last week.
For further remarks by the Bahá’í International Community on this matter, please visit http://news.bahai.org/story/634 Continue Reading…
“All of the allegations issued in a statement on Tuesday by the Iranian government are utterly baseless,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations, referring to statements made in a press conference given on May 20, 2008, in Tehran by Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham, at which he acknowledged the arrest and imprisonment of six Bahá’í leaders last week.
For further remarks by the Bahá’í International Community on this matter, please visit http://news.bahai.org/story/634 Continue Reading…
Bahais accuse Iran of religious bias, say community leaders unfairly detained
The following Associated Press piece was picked up by the International Herald & Tribune
Bahais accuse Iran of religious bias, say community leaders unfairly detained
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CNN: Iran 'plans to destroy Baha'i community'
CNN has posted the following story online Iran ‘plans to destroy Baha’i community’
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AP: Bahais accuse Iran of discrimination
The Associated Press has put out the following story Bahais accuse Iran of discrimination
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Baha'is worried about Iranian community
The Jerusalem Post has published the following article about the recent arrests in Iran, Baha’is worried about Iranian community
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Iran says six Baha'is jailed on security charges
TEHRAN, May 20 (Reuters) - Iran has imprisoned six members of the Baha’i faith on security-related charges, government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said on Tuesday.
You can access the article here
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ADL: World Leaders Should Press Iran to Free Baha'i Religious Prisoners
The Anti-Defamation League has issued the following statement condemning the arrests of the Baha’i leaders in Iran:
“The arrests of leaders of the Baha’i faith demonstrate the seriousness of the loss of basic religious freedoms and human rights in Iran. The U.S. government and leading human rights activists have likened the situation to the crackdowns on Baha’is immediately after the 1979 revolution in Iran, when 17 Baha’i leaders were arrested. They have never been heard from again.
We call on world leaders to join together and insist that Iran release these religious prisoners. “
You can access the full story here Continue Reading…
“The arrests of leaders of the Baha’i faith demonstrate the seriousness of the loss of basic religious freedoms and human rights in Iran. The U.S. government and leading human rights activists have likened the situation to the crackdowns on Baha’is immediately after the 1979 revolution in Iran, when 17 Baha’i leaders were arrested. They have never been heard from again.
We call on world leaders to join together and insist that Iran release these religious prisoners. “
You can access the full story here Continue Reading…
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Baha'i arrests
The Presidency of the European Union released today a statement about the Baha’i arrests in Iran:
“The European Union is deeply concerned by reports that Ministry of Intelligence officers arrested six members of the Baha’i faith in Tehran on 14 May, who are currently being held in Evin prison.The EU reiterates its serious concern about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of the Iranian Baha’is on the grounds of their religion.
The EU calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to uphold fully the right to adopt and practise a religion of choice, to end the persecution of the Baha’i community, and to release the detained individuals.
The Candidate Countries, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.”
http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/CFSP_Statements/May/0521MZZ_Iran.html Continue Reading…
“The European Union is deeply concerned by reports that Ministry of Intelligence officers arrested six members of the Baha’i faith in Tehran on 14 May, who are currently being held in Evin prison.The EU reiterates its serious concern about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of the Iranian Baha’is on the grounds of their religion.
The EU calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to uphold fully the right to adopt and practise a religion of choice, to end the persecution of the Baha’i community, and to release the detained individuals.
The Candidate Countries, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.”
http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/CFSP_Statements/May/0521MZZ_Iran.html Continue Reading…
Reuters: EU concerned by arrests of Baha'is in Iran
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union called on Iran on Wednesday to release six members of the Baha’i faith imprisoned on security-related charges, urging Tehran to allow full freedom of religion.
Access the full story here
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AFP: Iran must stop Bahai persecution: EU
BRUSSELS (AFP) — The EU presidency on Wednesday called on Iran to end its persecution of members of the Bahai religious community, whose faith is banned in the Islamic republic.
Access the full story here
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Fear for the lives of six Baha'is arrested on “security-related” charges
Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Iran’s Baha’i community is concerned about the fate of six of its members arrested last week on “security-related charges”. Under Iranian law the death penalty can be imposed in such cases.
Access the full article here
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008
AFP: Iran confirms six Bahai faithful arrested
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran confirmed on Tuesday it has arrested members of the Bahai religious community, whose faith is banned in the Islamic republic, for acting against the national interest.
You can access the full article here
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Iran confirms arrest of Baha’i leaders for “acting against national interests”
Washington, May 20 (IranVNC)—Iran acknowledged today that six leaders of the country’s Baha’i religious community were arrested on May 14 on security-related charges.
You can access the article here
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Reuters: Group says six Baha'is detained in Iran
LONDON (Reuters) - The Iranian authorities have detained six members of the Baha’i faith, an offshoot of Islam considered heretical by Iran’s Shi’ite Muslim establishment, members of the religious group said.
You can access the full article here
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BBC News: Iran Arrests Bahai 'leadership'
BBC News has posted the following article
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Saturday, May 17, 2008
Canada.com: Foreign Affairs minister slams detention of Baha'i leaders in Iran
The Victoria Times Colonist published the following story about the arrests “Foreign Affairs minister slams detention of Baha’i leaders in Iran“. The article was picked up by Canada.com
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AFP: Canada expresses concern over arrest of Bahai in Iran
OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada expressed concern over the apparent arrest of six Iranian Bahai followers and called for their release, while deploring an “ongoing decline” in the country’s human rights situation.
You can read the full article here
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Friday, May 16, 2008
Leadership Council for Human Rights Condemns Arrests of Baha’i Leaders in Iran
The Leadership Council for Human Rights has made a statement condemning the arrests of Bahá’í leaders in Iran, and has called for their immediate release.
Washington, D.C. – The Leadership Council for Human Rights (LCHR) strongly condemns the sweep of arrests yesterday in Tehran targeting six Bahá’í leaders, who were all taken to Evin prison. These leaders make up the de facto national leadership of the Iranian Bahá’í community.
Those arrested include: Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. According to Bahá’í World News Service, “Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli have been previously arrested and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months.”
A seventh leader, Mahvash Sabet, has been detained in Mashhad since March 5, 2008.
“This is the most direct action taken against Bahá’í leadership in Iran since the early 1980s,” Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., told LCHR. Bigelow recounted the disappearance and execution of former Bahá’í leaders in Iran which led to the formation of a de facto group of leaders. On August 21, 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the national governing body, were abducted and never heard from again. The National Spiritual Assembly subsequently was reelected, following which eight of its nine members were executed on December 27, 1981.
In 1983, all formal Bahá’í administrative institutions were outlawed. The Bahá’í community responded by disbanding its governing bodies, the National Spiritual Assembly and all of its Local Spiritual Assemblies, in addition to suspending almost all of its regular organized religious activities. Since that time, events and communications have been coordinated by small groups of de facto leaders at the local and national levels. The national level leaders were the ones imprisoned yesterday, Bigelow said.
“The world should note this tragic repetition of history and act to prevent the further taking of innocent life,” LCHR President Kathryn Cameron Porter said. “Iran must immediately and unconditionally release these men and women, ensure that all who are imprisoned are granted due process and a fair trial, and respect its commitments under the International Covenants on Human Rights.”
In light of the ongoing crackdown against religious and ethnic minorities inside Iran, especially the Bahá’í community, LCHR urges Members of Congress to support House Resolution 1008, condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
LCHR is drafting a sign-on letter to the United Nations and to Iranian authorities calling for the release of these prisoners; we ask for your support and we will circulate this letter for signatures in the near future. Continue Reading…
Leadership Council for Human Rights Condemns Arrests of Bahá’í Leaders in Iran, Calls for Their Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – The Leadership Council for Human Rights (LCHR) strongly condemns the sweep of arrests yesterday in Tehran targeting six Bahá’í leaders, who were all taken to Evin prison. These leaders make up the de facto national leadership of the Iranian Bahá’í community.
Those arrested include: Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. According to Bahá’í World News Service, “Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli have been previously arrested and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months.”
A seventh leader, Mahvash Sabet, has been detained in Mashhad since March 5, 2008.
“This is the most direct action taken against Bahá’í leadership in Iran since the early 1980s,” Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., told LCHR. Bigelow recounted the disappearance and execution of former Bahá’í leaders in Iran which led to the formation of a de facto group of leaders. On August 21, 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the national governing body, were abducted and never heard from again. The National Spiritual Assembly subsequently was reelected, following which eight of its nine members were executed on December 27, 1981.
In 1983, all formal Bahá’í administrative institutions were outlawed. The Bahá’í community responded by disbanding its governing bodies, the National Spiritual Assembly and all of its Local Spiritual Assemblies, in addition to suspending almost all of its regular organized religious activities. Since that time, events and communications have been coordinated by small groups of de facto leaders at the local and national levels. The national level leaders were the ones imprisoned yesterday, Bigelow said.
“The world should note this tragic repetition of history and act to prevent the further taking of innocent life,” LCHR President Kathryn Cameron Porter said. “Iran must immediately and unconditionally release these men and women, ensure that all who are imprisoned are granted due process and a fair trial, and respect its commitments under the International Covenants on Human Rights.”
In light of the ongoing crackdown against religious and ethnic minorities inside Iran, especially the Bahá’í community, LCHR urges Members of Congress to support House Resolution 1008, condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
LCHR is drafting a sign-on letter to the United Nations and to Iranian authorities calling for the release of these prisoners; we ask for your support and we will circulate this letter for signatures in the near future. Continue Reading…
Leadership Council for Human Rights Condemns Arrests of Baha’i Leaders in Iran
The Leadership Council for Human Rights has made a statement condemning the arrests of Bahá’í leaders in Iran, and has called for their immediate release.
Washington, D.C. – The Leadership Council for Human Rights (LCHR) strongly condemns the sweep of arrests yesterday in Tehran targeting six Bahá’í leaders, who were all taken to Evin prison. These leaders make up the de facto national leadership of the Iranian Bahá’í community.
Those arrested include: Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. According to Bahá’í World News Service, “Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli have been previously arrested and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months.”
A seventh leader, Mahvash Sabet, has been detained in Mashhad since March 5, 2008.
“This is the most direct action taken against Bahá’í leadership in Iran since the early 1980s,” Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., told LCHR. Bigelow recounted the disappearance and execution of former Bahá’í leaders in Iran which led to the formation of a de facto group of leaders. On August 21, 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the national governing body, were abducted and never heard from again. The National Spiritual Assembly subsequently was reelected, following which eight of its nine members were executed on December 27, 1981.
In 1983, all formal Bahá’í administrative institutions were outlawed. The Bahá’í community responded by disbanding its governing bodies, the National Spiritual Assembly and all of its Local Spiritual Assemblies, in addition to suspending almost all of its regular organized religious activities. Since that time, events and communications have been coordinated by small groups of de facto leaders at the local and national levels. The national level leaders were the ones imprisoned yesterday, Bigelow said.
“The world should note this tragic repetition of history and act to prevent the further taking of innocent life,” LCHR President Kathryn Cameron Porter said. “Iran must immediately and unconditionally release these men and women, ensure that all who are imprisoned are granted due process and a fair trial, and respect its commitments under the International Covenants on Human Rights.”
In light of the ongoing crackdown against religious and ethnic minorities inside Iran, especially the Bahá’í community, LCHR urges Members of Congress to support House Resolution 1008, condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
LCHR is drafting a sign-on letter to the United Nations and to Iranian authorities calling for the release of these prisoners; we ask for your support and we will circulate this letter for signatures in the near future. Continue Reading…
Leadership Council for Human Rights Condemns Arrests of Bahá’í Leaders in Iran, Calls for Their Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – The Leadership Council for Human Rights (LCHR) strongly condemns the sweep of arrests yesterday in Tehran targeting six Bahá’í leaders, who were all taken to Evin prison. These leaders make up the de facto national leadership of the Iranian Bahá’í community.
Those arrested include: Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. According to Bahá’í World News Service, “Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli have been previously arrested and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months.”
A seventh leader, Mahvash Sabet, has been detained in Mashhad since March 5, 2008.
“This is the most direct action taken against Bahá’í leadership in Iran since the early 1980s,” Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., told LCHR. Bigelow recounted the disappearance and execution of former Bahá’í leaders in Iran which led to the formation of a de facto group of leaders. On August 21, 1980, all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the national governing body, were abducted and never heard from again. The National Spiritual Assembly subsequently was reelected, following which eight of its nine members were executed on December 27, 1981.
In 1983, all formal Bahá’í administrative institutions were outlawed. The Bahá’í community responded by disbanding its governing bodies, the National Spiritual Assembly and all of its Local Spiritual Assemblies, in addition to suspending almost all of its regular organized religious activities. Since that time, events and communications have been coordinated by small groups of de facto leaders at the local and national levels. The national level leaders were the ones imprisoned yesterday, Bigelow said.
“The world should note this tragic repetition of history and act to prevent the further taking of innocent life,” LCHR President Kathryn Cameron Porter said. “Iran must immediately and unconditionally release these men and women, ensure that all who are imprisoned are granted due process and a fair trial, and respect its commitments under the International Covenants on Human Rights.”
In light of the ongoing crackdown against religious and ethnic minorities inside Iran, especially the Bahá’í community, LCHR urges Members of Congress to support House Resolution 1008, condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
LCHR is drafting a sign-on letter to the United Nations and to Iranian authorities calling for the release of these prisoners; we ask for your support and we will circulate this letter for signatures in the near future. Continue Reading…
Religion Freedom Crackdown in Iran
The National Review Online posted the following “Religion Freedom Crackdown in Iran”
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CNN: Iran's arrest of Baha'is condemned
CNN has posted the following story on its website “Iran’s arrest of Baha’is condemned”
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CNN: Iran's arrest of Baha'is condemned
CNN has posted the following story on its website “Iran’s arrest of Baha’is condemned”
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AJC condemns arrest of Iranian Baha'i leaders
The American Jewish Committee has expressed its concern over the arrest and detention of Baha’i leaders in Iran.
You can access their statement here
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U.S. condemns jailing of six Baha’i leaders in Iran
Iran Visual News Corps has posted a follow-up story about the arrests:
U.S. condemns jailing of six Baha’i leaders in Iran
Washington, May 15 (IranVNC)—The U.S. government and non-governmental organizations have denounced the recent arrest of six leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, and have called for the release of all Baha’is in detention.
Continue Reading…
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center has condemned the arrest of Baha’i leaders in Iran.
Tom Parker, Executive Director of the Center, said “The IHRDC is greatly concerned that these latest arrests signal the intention of the Islamic Republic of Iran to further escalate its persecution of this peaceful religious minority. The situation of the Baha’i community is precarious, the IHRDC is calling on the international community to demand the release of these prisoners of conscience and shine a spotlight on one of the most egregious and neglected examples of religious persecution that can be found anywhere on the planet today.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
Tom Parker, Executive Director of the Center, said “The IHRDC is greatly concerned that these latest arrests signal the intention of the Islamic Republic of Iran to further escalate its persecution of this peaceful religious minority. The situation of the Baha’i community is precarious, the IHRDC is calling on the international community to demand the release of these prisoners of conscience and shine a spotlight on one of the most egregious and neglected examples of religious persecution that can be found anywhere on the planet today.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
Entire Baha’i Leadership in Iran Detained Without Charge
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today called on the Iranian judicial authorities to account for the detention of the six leading members of the Baha’i Faith, who have been taken to Evin prison.
“We are deeply concerned that the detention without charge of the entire Baha’i leadership is consistent with a pattern of violent and illegal persecution of Baha’is in Iran,” the campaign stated. “The persecution of religious minorities will bring neither internal stability nor international security to Iran.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
“We are deeply concerned that the detention without charge of the entire Baha’i leadership is consistent with a pattern of violent and illegal persecution of Baha’is in Iran,” the campaign stated. “The persecution of religious minorities will bring neither internal stability nor international security to Iran.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
Baha'i Leaders Arrested in Iran
Members of the national coordinating group of the Iranian Baha’i communityOn May 14, Iranian intelligence officials arrested six Baha’i leaders and took them to the notorious Evin prison. The imprisonments are ominously similar to episodes in the 1980s when scores of Iranian Baha’i leaders were summarily rounded up and subsequently executed.
The six men and women, all members of the national-level committee that coordinates the activities for the Iranian Baha’i community, were in their homes Wednesday morning when government intelligence agents entered and spent up to five hours searching each home, before taking them away.
The seventh member of the committee was arrested on March 5 in Mashhad after being summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence office there.
Arrested on May 14 were: Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. All live in Tehran. Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli have been previously arrested and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months. The seventh member of the committee, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, also lives in Tehran although she has been detained in Mashhad.
These actions by the Iranian authorities are strongly reminiscent of their earlier treatment of Baha’i leaders when on August 21, 1980 all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran, the national governing body, were abducted and disappeared without a trace. It is certain that they were killed.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iran reconstituted soon after those disappearances, and eight of those nine members were executed on December 27, 1981.
The Baha’i World News Service has released a story with further details and statements by the Baha’i International Community. You can access the story here Continue Reading…
USCIRF Calls for Strong International Condemnation of Arrest of Baha’i Leaders
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom today called for strong international condemnation of the arrest of Baha’i leaders in Iran.
“The arrests of six Baha’i leaders yesterday, following the arrest of another leader in March, is the latest sign of the rapidly deteriorating status of religious freedom and other human rights in Iran,” said Michael Cromartie, the Commission Chair. “This development signals a return to the darkest days of repression in Iran in the 1980s when Baha’is were routinely arrested, imprisoned, and executed.”
You can read the full USCIRF statement here Continue Reading…
“The arrests of six Baha’i leaders yesterday, following the arrest of another leader in March, is the latest sign of the rapidly deteriorating status of religious freedom and other human rights in Iran,” said Michael Cromartie, the Commission Chair. “This development signals a return to the darkest days of repression in Iran in the 1980s when Baha’is were routinely arrested, imprisoned, and executed.”
You can read the full USCIRF statement here Continue Reading…
Iran jails six Baha'i leaders
Iran Visual News Corps posted the following story about the arrests.
You may also wish to access their site www.iranvnc.com
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IRPP: Iran arrests national Bahai leaders
The Institute on Religion and Public Policy has made a statement about the arrests of Baha’i leaders in Iran.
“For three decades, Bahá’ís have suffered egregious persecution for their faith,” said Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. “These latest arrests, however, are particularly disturbing because they signal that the government is worsening its abuse of and increasing its attacks against Bahá’ís. We call on the international community to pressure Iran to release immediately the seven national leaders it has detained, and to help secure the freedom to worship for Bahá’ís that is a fundamental right of all people.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
“For three decades, Bahá’ís have suffered egregious persecution for their faith,” said Institute President Joseph K. Grieboski. “These latest arrests, however, are particularly disturbing because they signal that the government is worsening its abuse of and increasing its attacks against Bahá’ís. We call on the international community to pressure Iran to release immediately the seven national leaders it has detained, and to help secure the freedom to worship for Bahá’ís that is a fundamental right of all people.”
You can access the full statement here Continue Reading…
U.S. Department of State strongly condemns the arrests of Baha'i leaders in Iran
The U.S. Department of State has issued the following statement about the recent arrests:
“We strongly condemn the May 14 arrest of six leaders of the Iranian Baha’i community– Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm–by Iranian authorities and the continued imprisonment of a seventh leader, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet. This is a clear violation of the Iranian regime’s international commitments and obligations to respect international religious freedom norms. We urge the authorities to release all Baha’is currently in detention and cease their ongoing harassment of the Iranian Baha’i community.”
http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2404.htm
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Iran: Baha'is rounded up
The Los Angeles Times blog “Babylon and Beyond” has a posting about the arrest of Baha’i leaders in Iran.
You can access it here
Continue Reading…
Friday, May 9, 2008
USCIRF issues recommendations for Countries of Particular Concern
On May 2, 2008, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom announced its recommendations to the State Department for Countries of Particular Concern for 2008. Iran was among these countries and its treatment of Bahá’ís was listed among reasons for the recommendation of Iran:
“The already poor religious freedom record of Iran has deteriorated further, especially for religious minorities-including Baha’is, Sufi Muslims, and Evangelical Christians-who face relentless arrests, imprisonment, and harassment. Fears among Iran’s Jews have grown due to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated denials of the Holocaust and other anti-Semitic statements. Dissidents and political reformers continue to be imprisoned on criminal charges of blasphemy and for criticizing the Islamic regime. Nearly 150 Baha’is have been subjected to a wave of arrests and detention since late 2004; some have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 90 days to one year on dubious charges that include “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and the fear of arbitrary arrest has grown.”
USCIRF Media release
USCIRF 2008 Annual Report Continue Reading…
“The already poor religious freedom record of Iran has deteriorated further, especially for religious minorities-including Baha’is, Sufi Muslims, and Evangelical Christians-who face relentless arrests, imprisonment, and harassment. Fears among Iran’s Jews have grown due to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated denials of the Holocaust and other anti-Semitic statements. Dissidents and political reformers continue to be imprisoned on criminal charges of blasphemy and for criticizing the Islamic regime. Nearly 150 Baha’is have been subjected to a wave of arrests and detention since late 2004; some have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 90 days to one year on dubious charges that include “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and the fear of arbitrary arrest has grown.”
USCIRF Media release
USCIRF 2008 Annual Report Continue Reading…
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Iran Working Group examines the situation of ethnic and religious minorities
On Thursday, March 13, witnesses testified about the human rights situations of Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities before the Iran Working Group, a Congressional body co-chaired by Congressman Mark Kirk and Congressman Robert Andrews. The meeting included a testimony on the situation of the Baha’is in Iran, by Ms. Kit Bigelow, Director of External Affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S.
The Leadership Council for Human Rights has posted a story about the meeting that can be accessed here
You can also access a copy of Ms. Bigelow’s testimony here Continue Reading…
The Leadership Council for Human Rights has posted a story about the meeting that can be accessed here
You can also access a copy of Ms. Bigelow’s testimony here Continue Reading…
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